- Based on the readings and my frustration to create a little video in Module 1 and 2, I have realized I am definitely a Digital Immigrant:)
I came to find that children who are born in this generation or children who were born when computers really took off are Digital Natives. The older generations and even 90's generation are Digital Immigrants. They either didn't have computers or technology at all growing up or they just had a little technology growing up but didn't consume their life with it. Digital Natives need to have access to technology almost all the time and they want to use it in their learning environments. Digital Immigrants are overwhelmed with all the choices and frustrated because they don't know how to use the technology that is out there being changed all the time. I think Digital Immigrants just want stability and control; technology is not like that at all. It seems to be an educational crisis that needs to have some focus and resolutions on how to change our classrooms. If Digital Natives are being taught by Digital Immigrants then their not going to get ahead in this world, they are going to stay stuck in the past and struggle with finding jobs in the future.
Digital Natives want to have the freedom to see, touch, and hear things they are learning. They want to be able to decide how they are going to work, be social, pick how they learn, and be apart of their entertainment instead of watching their entertainment. The faster the better, the newer the better, and more personalized the better. Digital Immigrants want to be in control and they want to follow the rules that society set up for them years ago. Basically, they want a typical 9 to 5 job with a boss and steps up the ladder. My personal opinion is Digital Natives don't want to have to work up the ladder they want to start at the top. Not always a good thing, but not always a bad thing either. The economy is hurting us, because our businesses and schools can't keep up with the new trends and can't afford to train all these Digital Immigrants. The world is moving at a fast pace and our children our suffering because of it, so that leaves educators trying to figure out what to do and how to grow.
My video shows a Digital Immigrant principal interviewing a Digital Native for a 3rd grade teaching position. I chose 3rd grade because it seems to be the year when children struggle more and have more standardized tests. The Digital Native has had experience and wants to use computers in her future teaching career, but the Digital Immigrant can't help her with that. I believe that schools around the nation want to incorporate new technology into their curriculum, but can't afford to do so. So my video should leave you thinking about what could we do to help our schools engage Digital Natives. It is a short and simple video with a message.
Readings that Influenced Me:
Gilbert, I. (2009). Nothing is more dangerous than an idea when it's the only idea you've got. Why do I need a teacher when I've got Google?: things every teacher should know (pp. 42-46). London: Routledge.
Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Students and learning. Web 2.0: new tools, new schools (pp. 25-44). Eugene, Or.: International Society for Technology in Education.
Prensky, M. (2006). The emerging online life of a digital native. "Don't bother me Mom, I'm learning!": how computer and video games are preparing your kids for twenty-first century success and how you can help! (pp. 40-51). St. Paul, Minn.: Paragon House.
It is interesting that in your video the candidate states at the end that she will seek employment elsewhere! I think that as teachers become more technology savvy we will be expecting our employers to meet our needs. I agree with you that students (esp. in third grade) need so much more interaction with technology than just once a week. When I taught 5th grade my students loved to work on math problems using tablets and we only had one to share amongst them all! I hope that administrators begin to see more of the value of technology rather than the cost. There are so many free resources out there- the initial cost of the computers is a lot but the benefits are so great!
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